Application container

Abstract

To provide a coating container which can suppress variations in a discharge amount.SOLUTION: A coating container 1 includes: a bottomed cylindrical container body 2 having a mouth part 10; an inside plug 30 mounted on the mouth part 10 and formed with a discharge hole 30a communicating with inside of the container body 2; a head part 41 inserted into the discharge hole 30a so as to be able to move up and down; a coating plug body 40 including a spring part 42 for connecting the inside plug 30 and the head part 41, and energizing the head part 41 upward; and a coating plug cover 50 mounted on the head part 41 and formed of a softer material than the head part 41, wherein the coating plug cover 50 has a first seal part 53 which blocks communication of a circulation path 60 between an outer peripheral surface of the coating plug cover 50 and an inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole 30a, with the inside of the container body 2, and makes the circulation path 60 and the inside of the container body 2 communicate with each other when the head part 41 is moved downward against energization of the spring part 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an application container. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known applicator containers that apply a liquid content such as a medicinal solution to a target part such as the scalp or skin of a human body. In the applicator containers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below, when the tip of the applicator container is pressed against the target part, a slit valve provided at the tip opens and the content is discharged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5849290 [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-260581 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The most common type of coating container is a slit valve type. The material of the slit valve is limited to a relatively soft material such as silicone rubber in order to open and close the slit valve. Due to its structure, the slit valve is placed at the tip of the coating plug, so the discharge port may be blocked by being pressed against the coated part. For this reason, there is a possibility that the discharge amount may vary in conventional coating containers.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an applicator container capable of suppressing variation in the discharge amount. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The applicator container of the present invention comprises a bottomed cylindrical container body having a mouth, an inner stopper attached to the mouth and having a discharge hole formed therein communicating with the inside of the container body, a head portion inserted into the discharge hole so as to be movable up and down, and an applicator stopper body including a spring portion connecting the inner stopper and the head portion and biasing the head portion upward, and an applicator stopper cover attached to the head portion and formed of a material softer than the head portion, wherein the applicator stopper cover has a first seal portion that blocks communication between the flow passage between the outer peripheral surface of the applicator stopper cover and the inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole and the inside of the container body, and that connects the flow passage and the inside of the container body when the head portion moves downward against the bias of the spring portion.

[0007] According to the application container of the present invention, when the head part to which the application plug cover is attached is pressed against the part to be applied, the head part moves downward against the bias of the spring part. Then, the first seal part of the application plug cover, which blocks the flow passage between the outer peripheral surface of the application plug cover and the inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole, moves downward together with the head part, and the flow passage and the inside of the container body are connected. As a result, the content liquid inside the container body passes through the flow passage and is discharged from the discharge hole of the inner plug. Here, the flow passage is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the application plug cover and the inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole, and is not blocked by pressing the head part against the part to be applied, so that the discharge amount can be stabilized. In addition, since the hardness of the application plug cover does not affect the opening and closing of the discharge hole, its hardness can be freely selected, and for example, by selecting one that is softer than the head part and harder than conventional silicone rubber, a moderate massage feeling can be achieved.

[0008] (2) The applicator plug cover may include a second seal portion that restricts downward movement of the head portion and closes the discharge hole.

[0009] In this case, the head portion reaches its limit of depression due to the restriction of the downward movement of the head portion by the second seal portion of the applicator plug cover. At this time, the second seal portion closes the discharge hole, so that the content liquid does not continue to come out when the head portion is in a pressed-in state. This makes it possible to prevent the content liquid from being applied excessively to the application target portion.

[0010] (3) The applicator plug cover may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a top, and the peripheral wall portion of the applicator plug cover may be provided with a plurality of protrusions having a predetermined width in the circumferential direction and forming the flow passage between the protrusions and the inner surface of the discharge hole.

[0011] In this case, by changing the circumferential width of the multiple protrusions provided on the peripheral wall of the applicator plug cover, the flow area of ​​the flow passage can be set to match the viscosity of the content liquid, and the discharge volume can be stabilized.

[0012] (4) The applicator plug cover may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a top, and a vertical gap may be formed between a top wall of the applicator plug cover and the head portion.

[0013] In this case, the applicator plug cover can elastically deform without being affected by the hardness of the head portion until it comes into contact with the head portion due to elastic deformation. Therefore, the applicator container can achieve a massage feeling unique to the applicator plug cover (soft material) which is softer than the head portion. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the application container of the present invention, variation in the discharge amount can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an application container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing an example of use in which the application container shown in FIG. 1 is inverted after removing the overcap. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, a coating container according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] 1, the application container 1 of the present embodiment includes a bottomed cylindrical container body 2 in which the content liquid is stored, a cylindrical application stopper 3 attached to the mouth 10 of the container body 2, and a topped cylindrical overcap 4 detachably attached to the mouth 10 of the container body 2 and covering the application stopper 3. The content liquid is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include liquids such as hair growth agents, medicines having anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pruritic effects, cosmetics, etc., which are applied to the human body or skin.

[0018] 1, the central axes of the container body 2, the applicator plug 3, and the overcap 4 are arranged on a common axis. In this embodiment, this common axis is referred to as the container axis O, and the overcap 4 side along the container axis O direction is referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side (the container body 2 side) is referred to as the lower side. In addition, the direction intersecting the container axis O in a plan view seen from the container axis O is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the container axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0019] The mouth 10 of the container body 2 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the other portions (shoulder, body, and bottom) of the container body 2 other than the mouth 10. In the illustrated example, a male thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the mouth 10 of the container body 2, onto which the overcap 4 can be screwed.

[0020] The overcap 4 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape including the applicator plug 3, a cap tube 20 that surrounds the applicator plug 3 and the container body 2 from the mouth 10 to the shoulder from the outside in the radial direction, and a cap top wall 21 that closes the upper end opening of the cap tube 20. The cap tube 20 has an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the body of the container body 2. An attachment tube portion 22 and an engagement tube portion 23 are vertically provided on the lower surface of the cap top wall 21.

[0021] The mounting tube part 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the container axis O, and is disposed radially inside the cap tube 20. A female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting tube part 22, in a portion surrounding the mouth part 10 of the container body 2, to screw into the male thread of the mouth part 10 of the container body 2. This allows the overcap 4 to be attached to the mouth part 10 of the container body 2 in a freely detachable manner. The method of attaching the overcap 4 is not limited to screwing, and it may be attached to the mouth portion 10 of the container body 2 by, for example, undercut fitting.

[0022] The engaging tube portion 23 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the container axis O, and is disposed radially inside the mounting tube portion 22. The engaging tube portion 23 releasably engages with the outer peripheral surface of a discharge tube 31 (described later) of the applicator plug 3. When the overcap 4 is rotated around the container axis O and the mounting tube portion 22 is detached from the mouth portion 10 of the container body 2, the engaging tube portion 23 also detaches from the outer peripheral surface of the discharge tube 31. Then, the applicator plug 3 can be exposed by removing the overcap 4.

[0023] The applicator plug 3 comprises a cylindrical inner plug 30 attached to the mouth 10 of the container body 2, an applicator plug main body 40 fitted inside the inner plug 30, and an applicator plug cover 50 attached to the applicator plug main body 40.

[0024] The inside plug 30 has a cylindrical discharge tube 31, a cylindrical fitting tube portion 32, an annular flange portion 33, and a cylindrical seal tube portion 34. The discharge tube 31, the fitting tube portion 32, the flange portion 33, and the seal tube portion 34 are arranged coaxially with the container axis O as a common axis. The discharge tube 31 has a discharge hole 30a that communicates with the inside of the container body 2. A tapered first valve seat 35 that decreases in diameter as it approaches the upper end is formed at the lower end opening edge of the discharge hole 30a. A flat second valve seat 36 is formed at the upper end opening edge of the discharge hole 30a. Specifically, a step portion recessed downward is provided on the inner diameter side of the upper end opening edge of the discharge hole 30a, and the bottom wall of the step portion is the annular second valve seat 36. The bottom wall of the step portion (second valve seat 36) may be a horizontal surface or an inclined surface, and may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

[0025] The flange 33 is disposed on the upper opening edge of the mouth 10 of the container body 2, and its inner diameter side is connected to the lower end of the discharge tube 31. The outer diameter side of the flange 33 is connected to the upper end of the fitting tube 32. The fitting tube 32 extends downward from the flange 33, and its inner peripheral surface is undercut-fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the mouth 10. The sealing tube 34 extends downward from the inner diameter side of the flange 33, and its outer peripheral surface is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mouth 10.

[0026] The applicator plug body 40 includes a head portion 41 inserted into the discharge hole 30a so as to be movable up and down, and a spring portion 42 which connects the inner plug 30 and the head portion 41 and urges the head portion 41 upward. The head portion 41 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape coaxial with the container axis O. A recess 43 is formed in the center of the top wall of the head portion 41.

[0027] A fitting groove 44 into which the applicator plug cover 50 fits is formed in the peripheral wall of the head portion 41. The fitting groove 44 is disposed at the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall of the head portion 41. A flange 45 is connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall of the head portion 41. The flange 45 is formed in an annular shape extending radially outward from the lower end of the peripheral wall of the head portion 41. The upper surface of the flange 45 faces the first valve seat 35 in the axial direction.

[0028] The upper end of the spring portion 42 is connected to the outer diameter side of the flange 45. In this embodiment, the spring portion 42 is a resin spring formed integrally with the head portion 41, but it may be a metal spring formed separately from the head portion 41. The lower end of the spring portion 42 is connected to a fixing portion 46 fixed to the cylindrical seal portion 34 of the inside plug 30. The fixing portion 46 is formed in an annular shape coaxial with the container axis O, and is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical seal portion 34 via an undercut.

[0029] Applicator plug cover 50 is formed in a topped cylindrical shape coaxial with container axis O, and is fitted to head portion 41. Applicator plug cover 50 is formed from a softer material than head portion 41. For example, when head portion 41 is formed from a hard resin material such as polypropylene, applicator plug cover 50 is formed from a relatively soft material such as low-density polyethylene, elastomer, silicone rubber, or the like.

[0030] The applicator plug cover 50 includes a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 51 extending in the axial direction, and a disk-shaped top wall portion 52 closing the upper end opening of the peripheral wall portion 51. A first seal portion 53 is connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 51. The first seal portion 53 is formed in a tapered shape that expands in diameter as it extends downward. A fitting protrusion 54 is connected to the inner diameter side of the upper end portion of the first seal portion 53. The fitting protrusion 54 protrudes radially inward and is undercut-fitted into the fitting groove portion 44 of the peripheral wall of the head portion 41.

[0031] The first seal portion 53 covers the upper surface of the flange 45 of the head portion 41. The first seal portion 53 receives an upward bias from the spring portion 42 from the flange 45 and is seated on the first valve seat 35 of the inner plug 30. In this state, the first seal portion 53 blocks communication between the flow passage 60 between the outer circumferential surface of the applicator plug cover 50 and the inner circumferential surface of the discharge hole 30a and the inside of the container body 2. When the head portion 41 moves downward against the bias of the spring portion 42, the first seal portion 53 moves away from the first valve seat 35, thereby connecting the flow passage 60 to the inside of the container body 2.

[0032] A convex portion 55 extending in the axial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 51. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2, a plurality of the convex portions 55 (four at 90° intervals in this embodiment) are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 51. The above-mentioned flow passage 60 is formed between adjacent convex portions 55 in the circumferential direction. As shown by the dotted line in Fig. 2, by changing the circumferential width of the convex portions 55, the flow path area of ​​the flow passage 60 can be set in accordance with the viscosity of the content liquid.

[0033] Returning to Fig. 1, a second seal portion 56 is provided adjacent to the upper end of the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 51. The second seal portion 56 is formed in an annular shape extending radially outward. The lower surface of the second seal portion 56 faces the second valve seat 36 of the inner plug 30 in the axial direction. When the head portion 41 is pressed in and the second seal portion 56 seats on the second valve seat 36, the downward movement of the head portion 41 is restricted and the flow passage 60 is closed.

[0034] A block-shaped first protrusion 57 is formed on the upper surface of top wall 52. A plurality of first protrusions 57 (four in this embodiment at 90° intervals) are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. A block-shaped second protrusion 58 is formed in the center of the lower surface of top wall 52. Second protrusion 58 is loosely fitted into recess 43 of the top wall of head portion 41 with a gap therebetween. Second protrusion 58 prevents misalignment when applicator plug cover 50 is elastically deformed.

[0035] In the applicator plug cover 50 configured as described above, the fitting protrusion 54 contacts the peripheral wall of the head portion 41, and the first seal portion 53 contacts the flange 45 of the head portion 41 at the lower surface of the outer circumferential edge, but the other portions are separated from the head portion 41. In other words, a vertical gap is formed between the top wall of the applicator plug cover 50 and the head portion 41. This allows the applicator plug cover 50 to elastically deform without being affected by the hardness of the head portion 41 until it comes into contact with the head portion 41 due to elastic deformation. Therefore, the applicator container 1 can achieve a massage feeling unique to the applicator plug cover 50 (soft material), which is softer than the head portion 41.

[0036] Next, a case where the content liquid is applied to the application target portion 100 using the application container 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] When applying the content liquid, first, the overcap 4 is removed from the mouth 10 of the container body 2. Next, as shown in Fig. 3, the container body 2 is placed in an inverted state with the container body 2 on the upper side and the application plug 3 on the lower side. Note that the inverted state includes a tilted position in which the application plug 3 faces diagonally downward. In this inverted state, the first seal portion 53 of the application plug cover 50 attached to the head portion 41 is seated on the first valve seat 35 by the bias of the spring portion 42, and communication between the flow passage 60 and the inside of the container body 2 is blocked.

[0038] In this state, the head portion 41 to which the applicator plug cover 50 is attached is pressed against the application target portion 100. When the applicator plug cover 50 is pressed against the application target portion 100, the spring portion 42 is deformed and the head portion 41 and the applicator plug cover 50 move down (toward the container body) before the gap between the applicator plug cover 50 and the head portion 41 in the vertical direction is crushed. Here, by adjusting the material of the applicator plug cover 50 and the biasing force of the spring portion 42 so that the gap in the vertical direction is crushed after the head portion 41 and the applicator plug cover 50 move together, a good tactile sensation (massage sensation) can be obtained. In addition, when the head portion 41 moves against the biasing force of the spring portion 42, the first seal portion 53 of the applicator plug cover 50, which blocks the flow passage 60, moves together with the head portion 41 and separates from the first valve seat 35, so that the flow passage 60 communicates with the inside of the container body 2. As a result, the liquid content inside the container body 2 passes through the flow passage 60 and is discharged from the discharge hole 30 a of the inner plug 30 . In addition, adjustments may be made so that the vertical gap between the application plug cover 50 and the head portion 41 is closed before the spring portion 42 deforms, or adjustments may be made so that the deformation of the spring portion 42 and the closing of the vertical gap between the application plug cover 50 and the head portion 41 occur simultaneously.

[0039] Here, flow passage 60 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of applicator plug cover 50 and the inner peripheral surface of discharge hole 30a, and is not blocked by pressing head portion 41 against application target portion 100, so the discharge amount can be stabilized. Also, since the hardness of applicator plug cover 50 does not affect the opening and closing of discharge hole 30a, its hardness can be freely selected; for example, by selecting one that is softer than head portion 41 and harder than conventional silicone rubber, a moderate massage feeling can be achieved.

[0040] When the second seal portion 56 is seated on the second valve seat 36 by further pressing the head portion 41 against the application target portion 100, the downward movement of the head portion 41 is restricted, and the head portion 41 reaches its limit of depression. At this time, the second seal portion 56 closes the discharge hole 30a, preventing the content liquid from continuing to come out when the head portion 41 is in the limit of depression. This makes it possible to prevent the content liquid from being applied excessively to the application target portion 100.

[0041] Thus, the application container 1 of the present embodiment described above includes a bottomed cylindrical container body 2 having a mouth portion 10, an inner plug 30 attached to the mouth portion 10 and having a discharge hole 30a formed therein communicating with the inside of the container body 2, a head portion 41 inserted into the discharge hole 30a so as to be movable up and down, and an application plug body 40 including a spring portion 42 connecting the inner plug 30 and the head portion 41 and biasing the head portion 41 upward, and an application plug cover 50 attached to the head portion 41 and formed of a softer material than the head portion 41, and the application plug cover 50 includes a first seal portion 53 that blocks communication between the flow passage 60 between the outer peripheral surface of the application plug cover 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole 30a and the inside of the container body 2, and communicates the flow passage 60 with the inside of the container body 2 when the head portion 41 moves downward against the bias of the spring portion 42. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress variation in the discharge amount.

[0042] In this embodiment, the applicator plug cover 50 includes a second seal portion 56 that restricts the downward movement of the head portion 41 and closes the discharge hole 30a. With this configuration, the head portion 41 reaches its push-in limit due to the restriction of the downward movement of the head portion 41 by the second seal portion 56 of the applicator plug cover 50. At this time, the second seal portion 56 closes the discharge hole 30a, so that the content liquid can be prevented from continuing to come out when the head portion 41 is in a pushed-in state. Therefore, the content liquid can be prevented from being applied excessively to the application target portion 100.

[0043] 2, the peripheral wall 51 of the applicator plug cover 50 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 55 having a predetermined width in the circumferential direction and forming a flow passage 60 between the inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole 30a. According to this configuration, by changing the circumferential width of the plurality of protrusions 55 provided on the peripheral wall 51 of the applicator plug cover 50, the flow path area of ​​the flow passage 60 can be set according to the viscosity of the content liquid, and the discharge amount can be stabilized.

[0044] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0045] For example, although it has been described that the second seal portion 56 restricts the downward movement of the head portion 41 and blocks the discharge hole 30a, it is not necessary for the discharge hole 30a to be blocked at the limit of the depression of the head portion 41. For example, if a notch corresponding to the flow passage 60 is provided in the annular portion of the second seal portion 56, the content liquid can be discharged even if the descent of the head portion 41 is restricted by the second seal portion 56.

[0046] Also, for example, while head portion 41 has been described as being made of a hard resin material such as polypropylene, it may be made of a soft resin material such as low-density polyethylene. Head portion 41 and applicator plug cover 50 may be made of the same material. Even in this case, it is sufficient that applicator plug cover 50 ends up being made of a softer material than head portion 41 due to differences in manufacturing method, processing method, thickness, etc.

[0047] In addition, the components in the above-described embodiments can be replaced with well-known components as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048]

[0033] 1...applicator container, 2...container body, 3...applicator plug, 4...overcap, 10...mouth, 20...cap tube, 21...cap top wall, 22...mounting tube portion, 23...engagement tube portion, 30...inner plug, 30a...discharge hole, 31...discharge tube, 32...fitting tube portion, 33...flange portion, 34...sealing tube portion, 35...first valve seat, 36...second valve seat, 40...applicator plug body, 41...head portion, 42...spring portion, 43...recess, 44...fitting groove portion, 45...flange, 46...fixing portion, 50...applicator plug cover, 51...circumferential wall portion, 52...top wall portion, 53...first seal portion, 54...fitting protrusion portion, 55...protrusion portion, 56...second seal portion, 57...first protrusion portion, 58...second protrusion portion, 60...flow passage, 100...applied portion, O...container axis

Claims

1. A cylindrical container body having a bottom and a mouth portion; an inner plug that is attached to the mouth portion and has a discharge hole that communicates with the inside of the container body; an applicator plug body including a head portion inserted into the discharge hole so as to be movable up and down, and a spring portion connecting the inside plug and the head portion and biasing the head portion upward; An applicator plug cover is attached to the head portion and is made of a softer material than the head portion. the applicator plug cover includes a first seal portion that blocks communication between a flow passage between an outer peripheral surface of the applicator plug cover and an inner peripheral surface of the discharge hole and an inside of the container body, and that allows communication between the flow passage and the inside of the container body when the head portion moves downward against the bias of the spring portion, The applicator plug cover is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top, The peripheral wall of the applicator plug cover is disposed outside the peripheral wall of the head portion, The applicator container, wherein a vertical gap is formed between the top wall of the applicator plug cover and the top wall of the head portion.

2. A recess is formed in the top wall of the head portion, 2. The applicator container according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is formed on a lower surface of the top wall of the applicator plug cover, the protrusion fitting loosely into the recess with a gap therebetween.

3. The applicator container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the applicator plug cover includes a second seal portion that restricts downward movement of the head portion and closes the discharge hole.

4. An application container described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the peripheral wall portion of the application plug cover is provided with a plurality of protrusions having a predetermined width in the circumferential direction and forming the flow passage between itself and the inner surface of the discharge hole.

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